Questions to Ask an Intern
Thoughtful questions to ask an intern to understand their goals, provide guidance, and create a meaningful learning experience that benefits both the intern and your organization.
1What are your career goals and how do you hope this internship will help you achieve them?
Click to see why this works
What are your career goals and how do you hope this internship will help you achieve them?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows interest in their aspirations and helps you understand how to tailor the internship experience to their goals.
2What skills are you most excited to develop during this internship?
Click to see why this works
What skills are you most excited to develop during this internship?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals their learning priorities and helps you understand what experiences will be most valuable for them.
3What are your biggest strengths and how do you think they'll contribute to our team?
Click to see why this works
What are your biggest strengths and how do you think they'll contribute to our team?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Helps you understand their self-awareness and how they can add value to your organization.
4What areas would you like to improve or develop during your time here?
Click to see why this works
What areas would you like to improve or develop during your time here?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows their growth mindset and helps you understand what development opportunities to provide.
5What type of work are you most interested in and what projects excite you?
Click to see why this works
What type of work are you most interested in and what projects excite you?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Helps you understand their interests and how to engage them in meaningful work.
6What are your thoughts on the industry and what trends are you following?
Click to see why this works
What are your thoughts on the industry and what trends are you following?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows their industry knowledge and helps you understand their perspective on current developments.
7What are your thoughts on teamwork and how do you prefer to collaborate?
Click to see why this works
What are your thoughts on teamwork and how do you prefer to collaborate?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Helps you understand their collaboration style and how to best integrate them into your team.
8What are your thoughts on feedback and how do you prefer to receive it?
Click to see why this works
What are your thoughts on feedback and how do you prefer to receive it?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows their learning approach and helps you understand how to provide effective feedback.
9What are your thoughts on leadership and what qualities do you admire in leaders?
Click to see why this works
What are your thoughts on leadership and what qualities do you admire in leaders?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals their leadership values and helps you understand what they consider most important in leadership.
10What are your thoughts on innovation and how do you approach creative problem-solving?
Click to see why this works
What are your thoughts on innovation and how do you approach creative problem-solving?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows their innovation mindset and helps you understand how they approach creative challenges.
11What are your thoughts on communication and how do you prefer to communicate?
Click to see why this works
What are your thoughts on communication and how do you prefer to communicate?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Helps you understand their communication style and how to best communicate with them.
12What are your thoughts on time management and how do you prioritize tasks?
Click to see why this works
What are your thoughts on time management and how do you prioritize tasks?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows their organizational skills and helps you understand how to support their productivity.
13What are your thoughts on networking and how do you approach building relationships?
Click to see why this works
What are your thoughts on networking and how do you approach building relationships?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals their relationship-building approach and helps you understand how to support their networking.
14What are your thoughts on professional development and how do you approach learning?
Click to see why this works
What are your thoughts on professional development and how do you approach learning?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows their learning mindset and helps you understand how to support their development.
15What are your thoughts on work-life balance and how do you manage it?
Click to see why this works
What are your thoughts on work-life balance and how do you manage it?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Helps you understand their approach to balance and how to support their well-being.
16What are your thoughts on diversity and inclusion and how do you approach it?
Click to see why this works
What are your thoughts on diversity and inclusion and how do you approach it?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows their values and helps you understand their approach to creating inclusive environments.
17What are your thoughts on technology and how do you use it in your work?
Click to see why this works
What are your thoughts on technology and how do you use it in your work?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals their technology skills and helps you understand how to leverage their digital capabilities.
18What are your thoughts on ethics and how do you approach ethical decision-making?
Click to see why this works
What are your thoughts on ethics and how do you approach ethical decision-making?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows their ethical values and helps you understand their approach to ethical challenges.
19What are your thoughts on change and how do you adapt to new situations?
Click to see why this works
What are your thoughts on change and how do you adapt to new situations?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows their adaptability and helps you understand how they handle change and uncertainty.
20What advice would you give to someone starting their career in this field?
Click to see why this works
What advice would you give to someone starting their career in this field?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Provides insights into their perspective and helps you understand their wisdom and experience.
Creating a Meaningful Internship Experience
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Effective Onboarding
Set Clear Expectations
Clearly communicate the internship goals, responsibilities, and expectations to ensure alignment.
Provide Context
Help the intern understand the organization's mission, values, and how their work contributes to success.
Assign a Mentor
Pair the intern with a mentor who can provide guidance, support, and regular feedback.
Create a Learning Plan
Develop a structured learning plan that aligns with the intern's goals and the organization's needs.
Supporting Development
Provide Challenging Work
Assign meaningful projects that challenge the intern and contribute to the organization's goals.
Offer Learning Opportunities
Provide access to training, workshops, and other learning opportunities to support their development.
Give Regular Feedback
Provide consistent feedback on their performance and progress to help them improve and grow.
Encourage Questions
Create an environment where the intern feels comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance.
Building Relationships
Include in Team Activities
Invite the intern to team meetings, events, and activities to help them feel part of the team.
Provide Networking Opportunities
Introduce the intern to colleagues and provide opportunities for networking and relationship building.
Share Your Experience
Share your career journey and insights to help the intern learn from your experience.
Stay Connected
Maintain the relationship after the internship ends to support their continued development and career growth.